Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-08-20
DEDICATION DAY.
The First Presbyterian Church to be
Dedicated on Sunday Week
A Retrospect.

II hSt1oSICSts
The approaching dedication of the First
PRESBYTERIAN church renders it proper to
say something BY way of retrospect.
HISTORICAL RECORD.
1t was in June 1886, that the Rev.
Messrs. Linnel, Miles City, and Moore,
Helena, visited Great Falls on behalf ct
the Presbytery of Montana. After con
ferring with the people then compare
lively few-they became satisfied OF the
bright prospects of this region, and made
preliminary arrangements with the town
site company for possession of some lots,
which We're kindly presented by the com
pany as free gift. The next step was to
secure signatures to the schurch eoven-
ant as the first step toward permanent
organization. The thirteen original sign
ers were: W T. Junkins, Mrs. W. f.
Junkins, James A. Walker. j. W. Walker,
C. E. Walker, Hattie B. Walker, Mrs.
Sutherland, Miss Alice Wells, Harry
Ringwald, ". P. Beachley, Mrs. w. +.
Beachley, Frank Gehring and Mrs. Frank
Gehring. Brother Linnel had met the
Rev John Reid jr. at the general assem-
bly of the Presbyterian church at Mime
apolis the mo til previous to his visit here
alfa had broaehed the subject OF Great
Falls as a mission station OF some import
ance. After FIR. Llnnel returned to Miles
CITY he wrote, pressing Mr. Reid to accept
the field. His reply, which was IN the
affirmative, reat aed Rev. Linnel on his
diving bed at Bozeman.and it frightened his
passing momenxo to know that once more
his efforts to sssettle and establish" the
church of His Redeemer were successful.
After brief illness this good man enter
ed into his rest, respected by all and be-
loved bv those who knew him more init
mately.
The Rev. Jesse C. Wilson, a young min
ister of loving heart and earnest life, was
appointed by the Preshytery of Montana to
assume temporary charge OF the mission,
which he did faithfully and well and was
highly esteemed On the 18th of August,
1886. the Rev. John Reid ir., accompanied
by his wife and little daughter arrived
from Port Townsend. Washington terri
tory, in the presbytery of Puget Sound,
and received cordial welcome. Regular
services were sustained during the fall
and winter in the school house and when
possible at Sand Coulee school house. a
concert was given in the month OF Novem-
ber. whereby about S76 was raised towards
| securing an organ This sum with sub
| seriptions enabled the trustees to procure
| an excellent Bay State chapel organ at II
| total cost of St75.
| HOW THE CHURCH GOT A START.
| Last fall Mr.. John s. Kennedy of New
| York CITY. who is director in the Man
| itoba railroad and stoekholder of the
4 First National bank Of this city, had a
short conversation with MIR. Reid about
| the religious interests Of this community.
When the question of building came up
/ he was appealed to and generously sent
$500 to build small temporary church to
| tide over the summer and to build a more
substantial place of worship in the fall OF
this wear. The trustees decided subse-
auently to enlarge and strengthen theil
original plans and put up the present neat
and SPACIOUS building, Of which John r
Ross. late of Scribner Neb. is both ar
ehitect and builder.
The church has been duly incorporated
and its officers ars as follows:
Trustees-Jas. A. Walker, I'll. Ring
/ wald, Frank Gehring, John r. Ross, VIM
Reachley.
Elders-John R. Ross, Frank Gehring
las A. Walker.
DESCRIPTION OF CHURCH.
The new church is frame building o
feet long by 26 feet wide is six fee
, wider and ten feet longer than the presen
/ school house. 1t is lighted by means o
: eight oblong, square windows which i
due course are to be decorated with arts
tic staining. Over the main entrance tn
, building is relieved with an Ornamental
: window of semi-cireular design. Th
!, eupola or belfry which surmounts th
building gives an air OF graceful finis
and neatness to the external architectur,
Within the appearance is most pleasing
no ssdim religious light in Prespyterla
e churches. A handsome chandelier hans
: from the ceiling, the gift OF the Fir
e Presbyterian church Of Helena, at hrotht
5 Wilson's solicitations a neat pulpit eX'
!. euted by Mr.. Ross, and furnished !
s Mesdames Clark and Gibbons. stands
e the center of a commodious platform
whilst elegant and comfortable assembi
chairs, finished in mahogany. from II
far-famed works Of Thos Kane, Chicag
will make the center Of the church q
h that could be desired, and will provit
.. seats for 225 people. The total cost
. nearly $4,000. of which sum about s %
vet remains to be raised
1t OPENING SERVICES.
: The church will be opened for publ
worship ON Sabbath next, August %. II
Isev. u. J. Mcmillan. D. D.. president
Itae Montana College, Deer Lodge, W
: preach both morning and evening. 4
reverend gentleman Is both scholarly al
$, eloquent and is highly and justly esteel
If ed by all who know him. There will
v i full choir. supported by both piano Al
N organ. Particulars Of the anthems g
n will be given in Saturdays issue Of t
TRIBUNE. All who come will be ",
come to fhe Sabbath home. The MOI
/. L. = ~t.afo H..